Services · Brakes

Brakes done in your driveway, not a shop bay

There's nothing about a brake job that needs a lift. Pads, rotors, calipers, hoses, a fluid bleed: all of it happens on a jack and stands, wherever the vehicle is parked. You get a straight answer about what's worn and what isn't, and a price before I touch a bolt.

I'll show you the old parts. If the pads have life left, I'll tell you that too.

Text (512) 980-4368 Call for emergencies

Texting is best — I'm usually mid-job and can't pick up. Stranded or an emergency? Call.

No fix, no fee diagnostics
Quoted price is the final price
12 mo / 12,000 mi parts & labor
I come to you

What it's doing, and what it usually is

The most common cause first. It's a guide, not a diagnosis. That's what the visit is for.

Squeal when you brake: Usually the wear indicator on the pad, a small metal tab designed to make that noise when the pads are nearly done. Time to book it, not panic.
Grinding: The pad material is gone and it's metal on metal. Every stop is now damaging the rotor and the caliper. This is the one that shouldn't wait.
Soft or spongy pedal: Air or moisture in the fluid, a leak somewhere, or a master cylinder on its way out.
Pulsing or shaking when you brake: A warped or unevenly worn rotor. Common on trucks that tow or sit a lot.
Pulls to one side when stopping: A sticking caliper, a collapsed brake hose, or a tire problem. I'll tell you which.
Pedal sinks to the floor: A leak in the hydraulic system. Don't drive it. Call.
Brake warning light: Low fluid, worn pads on vehicles that have sensors, the parking brake, or an ABS fault. The dash usually tells you which.

What I do in your driveway

Pads and rotors, front and rear. I measure the rotors rather than replacing them on principle.
Calipers, brake hoses, and hard lines.
Fluid bleed and replacement.
Parking brake cables and shoes.
Wheel bearings and hubs when they're part of the job, and ABS sensors.
A proper inspection. If you booked pads and the pads are fine, that's what you'll hear.

How the money works

$150: Flat, to diagnose it. It's separate from the repair. If I can't find what's wrong, you don't pay it.
Quote: Before anything comes apart. The price I give you is the price you pay. If I find something else, I stop and ask you first.
12 / 12k: Months and miles, parts and labor. If the repair doesn't hold, I come back and fix it free.

Travel is free within 30 miles of Bastrop. Further out, there's a flat travel fee. The full warranty terms spell out what's covered.

Questions I get asked

Do I need rotors too, or just pads?

It depends on the rotor. I measure them. If they're above the minimum thickness and not scored or warped, pads alone is a legitimate job and I'll do that. If they're below, or the pulsing you're feeling is a warped rotor, they get replaced. What I won't do is replace them automatically to pad the bill.

How long do brake pads last?

Anywhere from 25,000 miles to well over 60,000, depending on the vehicle, the driver, and whether it tows. Hauling a trailer around the county wears them a lot faster than commuting to Austin. There's no single number, which is why I'd rather look than guess.

Can you do it at my work?

Yes, as long as there's a level, solid spot to park it and your employer doesn't mind. I've done plenty of brake jobs in parking lots while the owner was inside.

Are brake pads covered by the warranty?

The parts I fit and my workmanship are covered for 12 months or 12,000 miles. Pads wearing out normally isn't a defect, so ordinary wear isn't covered, but a pad that fails, a caliper that sticks again, or a leak at a line I fitted is on me.

How long does a brake job take?

An axle of pads and rotors is typically an hour or two on site. Calipers, hoses, or a bleed add to that. I'll tell you before I start, and the price doesn't change if it takes me longer.

Often goes with this

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Let's look at the brakes

Flat $150 to diagnose it, and you get a price before anything gets taken apart. Mon–Fri 9am – 6pm.

Text (512) 980-4368 Book a diagnostic

Stranded or an emergency? Call (512) 980-4368 — for anything else, a text gets to me faster.